The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-11-02


eloquent dark eyes; wise, in ali mere
worldly learning and culture, and with a
suppressed force, or passion, or earnest
ness-she could hardly define the thing
to herself-but something that set him
apart from other men, from the first.
1t was an easy matter for him to win
her heart, for all the possibilities she
saw in him were for good, and he was
an assiduous wooer; but she did not so
easily consent to show her love, much
less confess it. But, having once done
so, he pressed for q speedy marriage,
and he said he would speak to Mr.. Dal-
ton, on whom everything depended, that
very evening; for Agnes would never
marry without her fathers consent, and
somehow Mr. Dalton did not very much
admire Phillip Wynne, though he was
good deal at Rosedene. Had he thought
OF suitors for his daughters hand, which
he never had, Jack Hardy would have
been much more acceptable. He was
therefore much surprised when Mr..
Wynne laid his proposals before him
that evening after dinner He would
even have objectedLfor his instructive
dislike and distrust of the man were
strong at that moment-but for two
things. Philip spoke with quiet GER
talnty OF having won Agnes's love, and
MIR. Dalton had received telegram from
his senior partner, Mr.. Driver, that dis
quieted him very much. He could
| not understand it, but none the
less he experienced strange sense
OF uneasincss, especially as he
knew that things had been "a
little wrong" with his partner for some
time. So he accepted Mr.. Wayne's pro-
! posals, not with enthusiasm, but still
with tolerably good grace, and even con-
sented to an early date being fixed for
the wedding. An hour later, when he
saw his daughters radiant, blushing face,
and the deep tender light in her eyes
whenever they rested on her lover, all
his scruples vanished, and he was even
cordial to Philip Wynne; the child evil
IDENTIFY loved him, so there was no more
! to be said.
That was Saturday and the Sunday
| following seemed to Agnes Dalton the
most perfectly beautiful day of her life.
/ Philip came over to Posdene early, and
they walked to church together through
the shady lanes and shining fields. lie
did not utter one word of love-Agnes
often remembered that-nor did he rail
at the uselessness of things, and the
helplessness of man. nor did he even
smile when Agnes said that every day, if
we liked, we could all do something to
lessen the sense of human sufferings and
misery
eve will try together, Agnes" he
said, looking at her tenderly. "Hith.
erto | fear have done more to increase
rather than diminish the sum of human
woe-but you will help mel"
Heaven helping me, she said softly.
That was Sunday. On Monday after.
noon, while Agnes Dalton sat in her fa-
vorite ~hady nook waiting for the coming
of her lover, she was startled by an un-
familiar step on the messy slope, and,
looking up, saw Michael Anger.
''My father-what is itl" she cried,
diyining something was wrong. Tell
me, Michael"
''It's hard to tell, Miss Agnes; but you
are brave and strong, and know where
to look for help in time of need"
''My father, Michaell My father"
"He's broken, miss, but alive. Driver
& Dalton has gone to smash. Driver
has escaped, and Dalton is left to bear
all the blame-Dalton and mel"
"What is it, what has happened? who
is hurt! In pity, Michael, tell mer'
"The firm, Miss Agness-that is, the
master and me. Drivers gone. escaped
and taken everything with him. We're
ruined, bankrupt, disgracedp
"Oh is that all! feared my father
was il-or perhaps dead, Michael"
Worse than i'll, worse than dead
disgraced, Miss Agnesl' the old man
walled. Everything is gonew
"Never mind, old friend; while there's
life there's hope. Poor, ruined, we may
be; but disgraced, never 1t is only a
matter of money, | know some one who
will help us. Come, cheer up, and tell
me the very worst !"
"There's no best or worst about if.
Miss Agnes. Mr.. Driver has realized
every penny the firm could command;
stolen all our securities; stained our
name, and absconded-that's all. !"
Father is not to blame! And what
does it matter being poof?' Agnes said,
bravely.
"God help you, Miss Agnes, and en-
able you to bear it!n
He will, Michael. am not afraid.
Where is my fatherl"
''ln the house; he asked me to tell
you-he felt so broken"
Il must go to him at once. / have
stayed too long. Poor father as if any,
thing mattered while | have himm
'Oh, my dear, my dear! the little
childie | carried in my arms--the sweet,
wise little lassie that used to try to com
fort old Michael! It's a poor return for
all my love and care, and for all your
goodness, to make me tell you the sad
dest story every loving child heard. NY
dear, my honored master had "a stroke |
and is quite unconscious. The doctor
says he is not in any immediate danger,
but he will never be himself again, | .
fear, with this trouble hanging over
him
"Oh, yes, he will, Michaell We have
a friend who will help us out of the
money difficulty"
"A letter for you, Miss Agnes, marked .
'immeiate, ," a servant said breathessly; .
land, please, the doctor wants to see
you"
Agnes opened the letter with trembling .
fingers. 1t was very brief;
"MY DEAR GIRL: We were both mista-
in thinking you could love worth.
less scoundrel like mel in faucying | could
ever deserve your love. l am going to ia.
pan. Farewell"
The letter dropped from the girls
nerveless fingers, and the old man picked